Monday, April 30, 2012

Pappu Chekkalu - Indian savory

Pappu Chekkalu /Pappu Billalu are the famous South Indian savory . Even though it is a traditional one ,it has a plenty of combinations and variations in its preparation . This is one of those variations ,simple to prepare and mouth watering savory . These are perfect munchables and loved by all ages. We in Andhra , use to make these for our festivals and used to distribute with our dear ones.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl along with onion chilli paste and soaked chana dal except oil.

Add water little by little to the mixture to form a soft dough .The dough should be soft enough that when presses with hands to make a chekka it should not break at the edges .

Take a plastic sheet , apply a drop of oil to it , pick a small lemon sized ball from the dough ,place on the oil sheet and make a 2" round circle using your fingers .

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel , once the oil is heated , test the oil with dropping a pinch of dough into it. When the oil started bubbling , peel the chekkalu from the plastic sheet , and drop it slowly into the oil. You can add 5-6 for one time for a medium sized vessel.

On a medium flame , keep turning them to both sides once a while till they turn golden brown.

Once they turned desired color , remove them from the vessel using a slotted laddle and place them onto an oil absorbent paper.

Repeat the same till the dough completes.Cool them and store in a air-tight container.